Malawi Maternal Mortality Ratio
Maternal mortality ratio per 100,000 live births SH.STA.MMRT
Malawi's maternal mortality ratio was 218.40 in 2025, ranked 31st globally. This represents a 2.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1985–2025.
Overview
Malawi's maternal mortality ratio stood at 218.40 in 2025, a decline of +6.60 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 218.40 by 2025. Malawi ranked 31st globally.
Malawi’s maternal mortality ratio has fallen dramatically over the past four decades, declining from 1,115.00 in 1985 to a trough of 218.40 in 2025, the lowest level recorded in the series and ranking it 31st globally. The all‑time peak of 1,154.00 occurred in 1988, after which sustained public‑health interventions, expansion of skilled birth attendance and improvements in emergency obstetric care have driven a steady reduction. Compared with regional peers, Malawi’s 2025 figure of 218.40 is slightly lower than Ghana’s 223.60 and higher than Rwanda’s 213.20, indicating that the country is positioned near the middle of the East‑African performance band. The 40‑year coverage of data underscores the longevity of the downward trend, which aligns with broader sub‑Saharan progress in reducing maternal deaths. Continued investment in reproductive health services, particularly in rural districts, will be critical to maintain the decline and move the ratio further toward the Sustainable Development Goal target.
Data & projection
| Year | Maternal Mortality Ratio | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 209.70 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 218.40 | - | - |
| 2025 | 218.40 | −6.60 | #31 |
| 2023 | 225.00 | −14.00 | #159 |
| 2022 | 239.00 | −47.00 | #164 |
| 2021 | 286.00 | +30.00 | #165 |
| 2020 | 256.00 | −4.00 | #164 |
| 2019 | 260.00 | −7.00 | #162 |
| 2018 | 267.00 | −17.00 | #161 |
| 2017 | 284.00 | −28.00 | #164 |
| 2016 | 312.00 | −42.00 | #165 |
| 2015 | 354.00 | −13.00 | #166 |
| 2014 | 367.00 | −43.00 | #164 |
| 2013 | 410.00 | −37.00 | #167 |
| 2012 | 447.00 | −39.00 | #167 |
| 2011 | 486.00 | −31.00 | #168 |
| 2010 | 517.00 | +5.00 | #171 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Malawi matched the Currency Crisis Pattern pattern in 2016. Historically, 27% of countries showing this pattern (35 out of 128) saw maternal mortality ratio improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Malawi's maternal mortality ratio was 218.40 in 2025. Ranked 31st globally. This represents a 2.9% decrease from the previous year.
Malawi's maternal mortality ratio peaked at 1,154.00 in 1988.
The lowest maternal mortality ratio in Malawi was 218.40 in 2025.
Malawi ranks 31st globally in maternal mortality ratio as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.STA.MMRT. Data sourced from World Bank.
Malawi's maternal mortality ratio is projected to reach 218.40 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The maternal mortality ratio of Malawi in 2025 was 218.40. This ranks 31st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_malawi_maternal-mortality,
title = {Malawi Maternal Mortality Ratio},
url = {https://historysaid.com/malawi/maternal-mortality/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}